Soybeans drone spraying cost in North Dakota
Researched per-acre cost to spray soybeans by drone in North Dakota, the agronomy that drives it, and operators who cover your area.
Estimated cost in North Dakota
$960–$2,880
$6–$18/acre × 160 acres
What’s driving this
- North Dakota base rate
- $6–$18/acre (row crop)
- Gallons per acre
- 2 GPA → ×1.00
Sources: NDSU — 2024 North Dakota Custom Rates, Early Season Operations (By Aircraft, All Pesticides: 1gal avg $9.76 / most-freq $9.75; 2-3gal avg $9.77; 4-5gal avg $10.00; >5gal avg $11.25; full range $4.50-$25.00); NDSU Agriculture — North Dakota Custom Rates (landing page / report index); Iowa State 2026 Farm Custom Rate Survey (anchor for calibration)
Estimate only — actual rates vary by field size, terrain, and product. Application only; product/chemical extra. Data as of 2026.
What it takes to spray soybeans in North Dakota
White mold and frogeye fungicide plus aphid control at R3; aerial cover-crop seeding into standing beans is increasingly common.
- Carrier volume: 2–3 GPA — higher volumes cost more per acre (more refills, fewer acres/hour).
- Typical passes: 1–2 (R3 fungicide/insecticide).
Sources & confidence
North Dakota estimate · high confidence · data as of 2026 — Direct, current extension survey. NDSU's 2024 Early-Season report breaks out 'By Aircraft (All Pesticides)' by carrier volume: averages climb from $9.76/ac (1 gal) to $11.25/ac (>5 gal), full reported range $4.50-$25.00. Typical $11 (aircraft average bracket), low $6 (large flat fields, low-volume work), high $18 (heavy-water/specialty passes; $25 max an outlier). costIndex 0.95 — slightly below Iowa: very large fields, deep established ag-aviation fleet, low-volume applications. Specialty band derived from national orchard range, set modestly below other states for ND's lower cost structure.
- NDSU — 2024 North Dakota Custom Rates, Early Season Operations (By Aircraft, All Pesticides: 1gal avg $9.76 / most-freq $9.75; 2-3gal avg $9.77; 4-5gal avg $10.00; >5gal avg $11.25; full range $4.50-$25.00)
- NDSU Agriculture — North Dakota Custom Rates (landing page / report index)
- Iowa State 2026 Farm Custom Rate Survey (anchor for calibration)
9 North Dakota operators treat soybeans. Request free quotes.
Get quotes in North DakotaOther crops in North Dakota
Soybeans drone spraying in North Dakota: FAQs
- How much does it cost to spray soybeans by drone in North Dakota?
- Drone spraying soybeans in North Dakota typically runs about $6–$18 per acre (application only, product extra). Carrier volume, passes, field size, and product move the final number — compare operator quotes for an exact price.
- What carrier volume and how many passes for soybeans?
- Soybeans is usually treated at 2–3 GPA over 1–2 (R3 fungicide/insecticide). White mold and frogeye fungicide plus aphid control at R3; aerial cover-crop seeding into standing beans is increasingly common.
